Brendan Foley, 85 of Closter, passed away at home on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He was born in Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The family then moved to the Moy, County Tyrone where his love of carpentry, cycling and music began and would follow him throughout his life.
While cycling started as a means of getting to and from work, it quickly turned into a love of racing. Brendan found lifelong friends that formed a cycling club and competed in races throughout Ireland. They rode thousands of miles up and down the rugged hills of Ireland. He felt the Mourne Mountains with Spelga Dam and Silent Valley Reservoir had the prettiest views.
As he grew older, Brendan had to travel to find work. He found work in Belfast, England and Wales; gaining experience working in shipyards, steel mills and a nuclear power station. He also made the time to play his accordion in a band. One of his favorite memories was playing in Folkestone, England where they could see the lights on vehicles in France across the English Channel.
Every winter Brendan would return to the Moy when the daylight hours grew shorter and more people would gather to hear the musicians play, pushing back the winter drear with lively music. In the winter of 1962, the “Big Freeze” hit, featuring blizzards, snowdrifts and freezing temperatures shutting down everyday life. In March 1963, Brendan decided to set sail for America on the Queen Elizabeth luxury cruise liner. Staying with cousins in Philadelphia that he hadn’t previously known, he found that there wasn’t much work to be had and so he formed a band and played dances.
Brendan met his future bride, Margaret, while playing at a Ceili in Philadelphia and it was love at first sight. After a three-year courtship, Brendan and Margaret, were married and lived in Philadelphia before moving to Kew Gardens, New York. Their next and last move was to Closter, New Jersey. Brendan and Margaret were blessed in marriage for over 55 years before she passed away. They welcomed Liam and Colm while living in Kew Gardens then Siobhan, Brendan, Breige, Deirdre and Sean while living in Closter. Brendan focused on work, while Margaret focused on raising the children. Brendan shared his love of carpentry with his sons, love of music with everyone who would listen and his love of cycling with all his children. Brendan enjoyed playing in bands locally, in the Catskills and around his job in New York City.
Summertime was saved for packing up the clan and traveling up and down the East Coast camping in a variety of vehicles up to and including a large camper. From the wind-swept shores of Nova Scotia to the scenic hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Other times of the year were for visiting relatives in Canada and Philadelphia. Family bonding time was mandatory and no one ever truly believed that the car would be turned around to go home, no matter how poorly we behaved.
One of the proudest days of his life was when he finally achieved his goal of becoming a Naturalized Citizen of his adopted country on April Fools Day of 2000.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Stinson Foley. Devoted father of Liam, Colm and wife Nicole, Siobhan Fulco and husband Anthony, Brendan Jr. and wife Jill, Breige Alexander and late husband Dan, Deirdre Ciampa and husband Chris, and Sean and wife Angelique. Proud grandfather of Lance, Lauren, Alexandra, Adriana, Ella, Peter and Maria. Dearest Brother of Margaret, Sean, Bridie, Una, Bernadette and Gerard.
He will be deeply loved, forever missed and never forgotten by those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate that donations be made in Brendan’s name to the Closter Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Corps. 72 Ruckmand Rd, Closter, NJ 07624.
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